Perachi outduels Merda, Tarpons fall to Marauders in Series Opener

TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Tarpons (8-14) returned to George M. Steinbrenner Field on Tuesday night to face the Bradenton Marauders (14-8). Timely hitting from the Marauders and a couple of rally-killing double plays were the difference in the game, giving Bradenton game one of the series, 5-2.

RHP Hayden Merda (5.0IP, 2H, 3R, 4BB, 8K) kicked off the six-game homestand on the mound. Merda hit one-speed bump in the third inning but was otherwise dominant. Merda relied on his slider, which generated ten swings and misses. His sinker got hit around as Bradenton batters averaged a 98 MPH exit velocity off the pitch.

The Marauders got the scoring started in the third. With one away, Jesus Castillo worked a free pass to start the frame. After reaching on a fielder’s choice, Enmaneul Terrero swiped second, and a walk to Jarred Triolo sent Termarr Johnson to the dish with two runners on. He lofted a ground-rule double to left field to put Bradenton on the board first. The Marauders extended the lead to three when Rodolfo Nolasco scorched a 110 MPH RBI double to left center field.

RHP Alex Bustamante relieved Merda in the sixth inning and plunked the first batter he faced. He settled down and induced a 4-3 double play. After a walk to Shalin Polanco, C Agustin Ramirez showed off his rocket arm, nabbing Polanco to throw out his seventh runner of the year.

Bustamante’s control issues continued in the seventh. Two walks and a wild pitch put Bradenton in position to strike. With two away, a ground ball ricocheted off of Bustamante’s ankle and trickled away. He recovered and threw a bounce pass to 1B Omar Martinez, who scooped it out of the dirt to escape the jam.

Clear the decks! Ramirez blasted a 436-foot leadoff homerun to pull Tampa within two in the seventh. RF Anthony Hall followed up the homer with a single to left field. Hall advanced to second on a wild pitch. Tampa was able to cut the lead to one thanks to an RBI single off the bat of Martinez.

What looked like an easy eighth inning turned out to be not-so-easy. With two outs and two strikes, RHP Cole Ayers drilled Wyatt Hendrie. Shalin Polaco took advantage of the two-out opportunity by sending a two-run homer into the cabanas to put the game on ice for Bradenton.

The Tarpons were able to bring the tying run to the plate in the ninth but were unable to capitalize. DH Dayro Perez lined a single into left field, and CF Nelson Medina got hit by a pitch. Bradenton’s closer, Mike Walsh, was able to retire the next two batters to seal the victory.

The Tarpons will be back at it tomorrow night at GMS Field. RHP Leonardo Pestana will take the ball and try to snap Tampa’s two-game losing streak. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.